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ARTICLE · 14 JANUARY 2020

The School Uniform Investigation

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As we gear up for the new year and the return to school for children across the country, we take a look at the intended effects of the Competition Commission's ("Commission") investigation into the...

South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Jac Marais
Jac Marais
Mia De Jager
Mia De Jager
Kameel Pancham
Kameel Pancham
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As we gear up for the new year and the return to school for children across the country, we take a look at the intended effects of the Competition Commission's ("Commission") investigation into the pricing of school uniforms and the subsequent agreements signed before the Competition Tribunal ("Tribunal") in 2019.

Prior to 2015, the Commission received complaints from parents and school uniform suppliers regarding the high costs of school uniforms as well as exclusive agreements that prevented other suppliers from entering the market. This culminated in the Commission undertaking advocacy initiatives with various stakeholders – including various schools, certain school groups and the National Department of Basic Education ("DBE").

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